TSD Offers various Educational Programs

Whatever your interests, Thompson School District has programs or choice options that are perfect for your student and family. Our programming lineup is diverse, challenging and robust. Here are just a few of the many great choices offered. Many of these programs have an elementary, middle and high school feeder system component.

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP courses are offered at each of our district comprehensive high schools. AP courses follow a national curriculum provided by The College Board, the publishers of the SAT college entrance exam. These courses give students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Each May, AP exams are offered to students as they complete their coursework. Students earning a minimum score on the exam can receive either elective credit or course replacement credit depending on the college or university policy. Parents and students are encouraged to review these policies on the college website for colleges under consideration. AP courses are college-level courses that reflect a student’s willingness to follow the demands and rigor of college-level studies. These courses assist students in stretching themselves to think or learn at a higher level and will help students stand out in the college admission process. A fee is required for each AP exam, but a waiver can be requested through the Colorado Department of Education’s ESCAPE grant.

A high school curriculum of high academic intensity and quality found in Pre-AP/AP courses is the factor that most contributes to a student’s likelihood of completing a college degree. Exposure to this curriculum is a much better predictor of college success than a student’s high school GPA or test scores. AP students:

-- are exposed to the rigor of college-level study

-- explore advanced topics in greater depth and detail

-- earn college credit while in high school

-- build confidence in their capability to succeed in college

-- increase the likelihood of getting accepted to the college of their choice

-- save money; course waivers earned in AP will save on tuition

-- improve their writing skills and sharpen their problem-solving techniques

-- assume responsibility for reasoning, analyzing, and understanding for themselves

-- earn up to a semester of college credit for free

-- increase the likelihood of college admission

AP courses offered in Thompson School District: Art History; Biology; Calculus AB & BC; Chemistry; Economics: Macro; Economics: Micro; English Language & Composition; English Literature & Composition; Environmental Science; European History; Government & Politics: Comparative or United States; Human Geography; Music Theory; Physics I; Physics II: Electricity & Magnetism; Physics II: Mechanics; Psychology; Research; Seminar; Statistics; Studio Art: Drawing, Photo, 2-D or 3-D Design; U.S. History; World History; and World Languages: Spanish, German and French.

For more information on the AP program, please visit www.CollegeBoard.org.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

AVID is a college readiness prep program that focuses on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading (WICOR). Learning theses five things in a deeper way will help students better prepare for the rigors of college and a postsecondary life. AVID focuses on applying to college, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), effective and efficient study skills, and so much more. AVID is offered 2nd-12th grade at Sarah Milner Elementary School, Walt Clark Middle School and Thompson Valley High School.

Agricultural Education Pathways Program

Located at Thompson Valley High School and Berthoud High School, the Agricultural Education Pathways Program prepares Thompson School District students for workforce readiness and continuing education beyond high school. The program is available to high school students throughout the district. In the Agricultural Education program, students will explore the six pathways of agricultural education as well as gain in-depth information about our student-led leadership organization, FFA, develop leadership and employability skills for future careers and endeavors, and have the chance to participate in educational field trips and experiences pertaining to agriculture and FFA on a district, state and national level.

Concurrent Enrollment/Early College/ASCENT

Concurrent enrollment gives students an opportunity to graduate from high school with college credits. The cost for tuition is paid by Thompson School District at community college rates. Students can accelerate their progress toward earning advanced degrees and the working world. This program is open to all high school students who receive academic plan approval, meet application deadlines and meet college course requirements. Students can take college courses of their choosing at Front Range Community College, Aims Community College or other university partners. Books and fees are not covered.

Dual Language Immersion Program

Thompson School District offers a Dual Language Immersion 50/50 program in Spanish in two schools: Truscott Elementary School and Cottonwood Plains Elementary School. Dual Language Immersion is an academic program that enhances the development of content in two languages, English and Spanish, as well as literacy in both languages so that students will graduate ready for college, career and life in a globally competitive economy and a collaborative global community. This unique program builds student linguistic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in both English and Spanish. Students learn standards-based content as they become linguistically and academically proficient in two languages. To learn more about the program, please call Truscott Elementary School at 970-613-6900 or Cottonwood Plains Elementary School at 970-613-5900.

Entrepreneurship Program (Business Incubator)

In the Entrepreneurship Program, students create and develop their own product or service. Entrepreneurs and business experts from the community serve as coaches and mentors to guide student teams through the process of ideation, market research and business plan development. Over the course of the year, student teams learn about product development, financial modeling, marketing, accounting, human resources and the legal aspects of running a business to get them geared up for “Pitch Night.” “Pitch Night” helps to further fire the entrepreneurial spirit by putting student teams in front of actual investors to pitch their innovative ideas and possibly win funding to turn their business plans into reality during the summer and the following school year. This program is currently offered at Loveland High School and Thompson Valley High School.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Thompson School District offers the IB program at Coyote Ridge Elementary School, Lucile Erwin Middle School and Loveland High School. IB is an inquiry-based approach to learning focused on exploring students’ questions and curiosities. In addition to high academic standards and expectations, an IB education fosters the development of the whole child, including the arts and social-emotional health. Students explicitly learn 21st century skills such as research, communication, collaboration and social skills. IB schools emphasize student action and community service as an essential part of the learning experience. As reflective practitioners, educators at all IB program schools participate in regular specialized training as well as external evaluations to ensure compliance with the rigorous standards of the IB organization. For more information, please call 970-613-5200 for high school, 970-613-7600 for middle school, and 970-679-9400 for elementary school programs.

Leader in Me

Carrie Martin Elementary School and Monroe Elementary School are “Leader in Me” schools. This leadership model assists in integrating a culture of character and leadership into the school experience based on the principles of the late Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” The Leader in Me program brings the “7 Habits” into the elementary school setting where students can begin to develop these important skills at a very early age.

Loveland area Integrated School of the Arts (LISA)

The LISA program is offered at Garfield Elementary School, Bill Reed Middle School and Mountain View High School. LISA students benefit not only from the arts instruction embedded in their core classes, but also from the many arts enrichment activities available to them. Extracurricular activities such as art and choir clubs, dance and performance opportunities give LISA students plenty of chances to show their talents both in the schools and at local arts venues such as the Rialto Theater, Barnes and Noble, and the Lincoln Gallery. All three schools build background knowledge and experiences in the arts through field trips and artist-in-residence opportunities. Community service is also a key component as students from all three schools partner with local groups and organizations such as the Larimer County Food Bank, Alternatives to Violence, the Chilson Senior Center and others for service-oriented extensions of their LISA experience.

Project-Based Learning

Project-Based Learning is offered at Lincoln Elementary School, which allows students to work together to gain knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to real-world problems and challenges. The focus of the program is on creating high interest, authentic, relevant and complex learning experiences.

Project Lead the Way

Project Lead the Way (PLtW) is the nation’s leading provider of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs. Through world-class K-12 curriculum, high-quality teacher professional development and outstanding partnerships, PLtW is helping students develop the skills needed to succeed in the global economy.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

STEM is offered at Berthoud High School as a focused educational program. STEM Engineering is offered at Thompson Valley High School and Mountain View High School. An “Engineering Your World” program is hosted at TVHS and a “Project Lead the Way” program is based at MVHS and BHS. STEM strives to produce scientifically and mathematically literate graduates who can step into leadership positions at the most competitive postsecondary programs in the country. The curriculum, educational enrichment and interactive approach will develop scientists capable of planning, conducting and communicating their own investigations. Students design their own research project and work with an adult mentor during their junior and senior years. Included in the program is Pogil Chemistry, Project Lead the Way engineering classes and Advanced Placement options. Students interested in entering this rigorous program should call Berthoud High School at 970-613-7700. Three elementary schools—Big Thompson, Ivy Stockwell and Laurene Edmondson—and two middle schools—Turner and Walt Clark—are STEM focus schools. STEM provides a multiple-pathways-to-success approach so that all students can succeed. Students engage in problem-based learning centered on science, technology, engineering and math with literacy as the core. In collaborative groups, students solve real and relevant problems that cross all content areas with hands-on learning opportunities.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)

Thompson School District’s High Plains School is proud to offer families an education based on the STEAM model. Schools that use a STEAM framework to develop instruction are intentionally designing units and lessons to integrate concepts from science, math, history and the arts. Students learn skills in these content areas to support their reading, writing and communication abilities. They also take that knowledge to an application level in an effort to help them understand why they are learning what they are learning. Technology and the engineering design process are taught to and used by students to apply their content learning in real-world, relevant and meaningful ways through a problem-based learning approach. Students create and design new products or experiences to solve relevant, real-world problems. Through this problem-based approach, students develop their critical thinking skills, local and global awareness and communication and collaborative skills. A STEAM framework and problem-based learning approach sparks students’ creativity and helps them to develop character traits such as perseverance, responsibility and citizenship, which will serve them well throughout their life. To learn more about STEAM, please contact High Plains School at 970-679-9800.

Ferguson High School (FHS)

FHS is an alternative high school for grades 9-12 designed to address the needs of the student for whom the regular comprehensive high school situation has not been successful.

Explore, Engage, Expand (E3)

E3 is a part-time educational option for K-12 learners who seek an independent and personalized learning experience with lots of options. E3 consists of student-directed learning, mentoring and infinite educational opportunities. Learning targets and goals are customized by the learner, E3 coordinator and community mentor. Learning opportunities are tailored to meet individual learner needs; no two educational pathways look alike. As a result of the experience, credit will be documented on an official transcript. For more information, visit https://www.thompsonschools.org/Page/20716.

Loveland/Berthoud Enrichment Access Program (LEAP)

LEAP is a tuition-free, part-time, publicly funded enrichment program sponsored by Thompson School District for homeschooled students. LEAP provides enrichment to students in grades K-12 and is designed to support parents who choose to school their children at home or outside of the public school setting. Parents remain the primary instructional providers with LEAP supplementing their efforts. Classes meet at Galilee Baptist Church, 2525 Van Buren Court, Loveland, on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 8:20 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Students attend one day per week and enjoy classes taught by state-licensed teachers, hands-on activities and friendships with other homeschooled children. LEAP teachers provide a variety of learning opportunities. Some classes may take place in a self-contained building while others are more project based and occur throughout the Loveland community. Curriculum for use in the home is available from the LEAP lending library for those enrolled in the program. For more information, visit https://www.tsdleap.org.

Thompson Online Campus (Formerly TOL and SOARS)

The Thompson Online Campus provides an online educational experience for students enrolled in Thompson School District. The Thompson Online Campus is comprised of two programs that used to be known as Thompson Online (TOL) and Secondary Options for Achievement Resulting in Success (SOARS). Students taking classes through the Thompson Online Campus may be enrolled in one or both of the programs identified above. Students may also be enrolled in the Thompson Online Campus part time (as little as one class) while enrolled in a regular school.

The Thompson Online Campus strives to create a student-focused online learning environment. Student needs are identified and an online learning plan is developed. The end result is a custom designed online learning experience for each student. Students have the ability to access curriculum and assignments 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere with an Internet connection. Online teachers interact with students through multiple venues (including face-to-face and online), creating a virtual learning environment. Additional instructional delivery and feedback is available in learning labs during the school year.

A student’s online experience is tailored to their instructional needs, pacing preferences and lab/teacher support needs. Courses can be delivered in both a synchronous and an asynchronous manner allowing for enrollments throughout the school year. A synchronous enrollment is meant to work in conjunction with the school district’s semester schedule. An asynchronous enrollment is one in which a student begins and/or ends their semester-long class in a time period that may not line up with the traditional semester schedule. The Thompson Online Campus affords access to a variety of classes including credit recovery, core and comprehensive.